Does this happen in other countries? Or is it an Australian specific thing. Is the looming threat of a popular show on a public broadcaster switching to a commercial network something that happens outside of Australia?

There’s been talk, albeit from A Current Affair that The Chaser’s War on Everything was being targeted by commercial networks to make the switch from the ABC. This video shows how The Chaser envisage their show might look on the Nine Network..

Hopefully its a pretty clear sign they have no intention to leave the ABC.

The original Top Gear ran on BBC Two from 1977 to 2001. It got a big boost in ratings in 1989 when Jeremy Clarkson joined when it became more humerous and controversial. Jeremy left in 1999 and as a result the viewing figures plummeted and the BBC axed it eventually in 2001.

Channel 5 then created 5th Gear (now known as Fifth Gear) using many of the production team and presenters (not Jeremy Clarkson though) as the original Top Gear. Channel 5 wanted to carry on using the name Top Gear but the BBC refused.

In 2002 the BBC reversed their decision and brought back Top Gear in the format we know today.

In the UK it’s usually the complete opposite. Many personalities would die to have a contract with the BBC. The BBC is simply the most trusted brand of British television and is certainly the top-rated. As Craig said, if a show isn’t doing well on the BBC and it’s axed, another broadcaster who would appeciate the ratings the programme currently gets may buy the show. This happened with Robot Wars when Five out-bid the BBC for the rights to the format.

This blog has taught me how attitudes can be surprisingly different across the world. I always assumed the ABC was the top rated network in Aus but it doesn’t seem that way. Also the fact that ABC doesn’t have the rights to things like the Commonwealth Games, The World Cup and most of all the Olympics. I just can’t imagine the BBC not showing these events!

The ABC *should* be the highest rated network, but the lack of funds prevents it form competing on a level playing field.

For illustration: the ABC, with it’s entire 2 dometic and one international TV networks, 4 national and more than 60 local radio stations, international radio station, 41 shops and unmatched online presence have LESS money than Channel 7, which simply operates one TV channel that isn’t even national!

The ABC has the best programmes, but sadly not the funds or viewers. But it is still a success and will always be looked to with envy by the commercials.

Neighbours is currently being targeted by the commercial broadcasters in the UK at the moment.
I know it is made by Ten in Australia, but I believe the BBC have some input into how it is made as they practically pay for it (or so I believe). (Anybody remember Pudsey Bear appearing in the background of scenes of few years back in the lead up to Children in Need?)
The BBC, ITV and Five are in negotiations at the moment and it looks like it will move from BBC One to ITV 1.
The same thing happened with Home and Away a few years back when it moved from ITV 1 to Five. ITV lost the rights to show it so activated a clause in their original contract which stopped any other broadcaster showing it in the UK for a whole year. Apparently Five now pay half of the production costs to make it.

In NZ, there would be no difference between networks. Every TV station there, private or public, broadcasts advertising. Not only must the Chaser stay where it is, it also underlines the importance of the ABC never becoming a de-facto commercial network, as SBS regrettably has.